Can you handle The Truth? The X-Files’ top 5 episodes

Friday

After signing off in an underwhelming finale in 2002, “The X-Files” returns on Sunday for a six-episode run, reuniting alien believer Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) with his no-nonsense, scientific partner Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and, of course, their trusty flashlights.

The series, which airs on Fox immediately after the NFC Championship Game (go, Panthers!), will be a mix of over-arching mythology and classic “Monster of the Week” episodes.

“The X-Files,” despite its inconsistency, was always one of my favorite TV shows. Still is.

I could handle the truth, even when I didn’t fully understand it. Or suffered a migraine trying to figure it out. But I kept watching because of the simmering chemistry between those intrepid FBI agents, Mulder and Scully. Scully and Mulder. That was the core of show’s success. You couldn’t say one name without uttering the other — kinda like Batman and Robin.

Mulder and Scully exuded more sexual heat than most TV couples who fall into bed each week. They did it with a knowing look. A quick embrace. A soft brush of the other’s hair. A frantic cellphone call.

It’s as if they spoke a language only they understood. Their love was real. And we knew it, felt it.

“The X–Files” was an intoxicating mix of murky government conspiracies, scary monsters, sinister aliens and a whole lot of other weird phenomena that was tough to explain. It was one of those rare series where paying attention wasn’t just important, but essential. You couldn’t, say, wash the dishes and watch “The X-Files” at the same time.

Chris Carter, the show’s creator, wisely understood most of us were hungry for thought-provoking fare that didn’t wrap up neatly in 60 minutes. Mulder and Scully chased gruesome creatures, genetically altered supersoliders, man-sized parasites, evil children, but at the end of many episodes, the evidence always slipped through their fingers. The bad guy – or thing — often got away, leaving viewers wanting more — the hallmark of any great series.

Carter understood something else. A show featuring substance and style could be tough to beat. Not only was “The X–Files” an intelligent series, it looked like a big-budget feature film. No show has ever made the woods appear so foreboding. Or the simple sight of flashlights piercing the darkness captivatingly hypnotic.

“The X–Files” came along at an auspicious time. The Cold War had just ended. 9/11 hadn’t happened yet. Conspiracy theories were at their height. People needed a new bogeyman and the show provided it for nine maddeningly inconsistent seasons.

With the sci-fi classic returning for a limited run, now’s a good time to look back at my top five episodes…

“SQUEEZE” The story: Eugene Victor Tooms, a liver-eating serial killer who can contort his body and squeeze into small spaces, is on the loose after a 30-year hibernation. And he’s hungry.

Why it’s a classic: While the show boasted many unforgettable genetic mutants, none of ’em were more memorable than Tooms (a superbly cast Doug Hutchison) who exudes chilling menace with glowing eyes and without saying a word. It was the show’s first – and best — stand-alone monster episode. The episode got such a favorable response from viewers, Tooms returned later in the season.

2. “HOME”

The story: The Peacocks, a hideously deformed family big on inbreeding, go on a murderous rampage in their idyllic, Mayberry-ish hometown. The town’s sheriff was even named Andy Taylor. Yes, really.

Why it’s a classic: The most intense — and frightening — “X-Files” episode ever. It was so intense, Fox initially refused to repeat it. Still gives me the chills when I see it. Those Peacocks were a nasty bunch. When you booby trap your house with weapons that can decapitate people, well, let’s just say you don’t enjoy having company often.

3. “ICE”The story: Mulder and Scully are trapped at a remote Alaskan outpost…with a worm-like parasitic life form looking for its next host.

Why it’s a classic: Yeah, I know, the episode is basically a TV version of John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” but it’s claustrophobic and wonderfully creepy. And there’s this goosebump-inducing line: “We’re not who we are.”

4. “PILOT” The story: The one that started it all. Scully, a low-key medical doctor is teamed with “Spooky” Mulder, a dry-witted believer, to debunk Mulder’s out there paranormal theories.

The story: While spying on Mulder and Scully, Smoking Man’s mysterious past is discussed, a past that possibly had him behind everything from the Rodney King’s trail to JFK’s assassination.

Why it’s a classic: Mostly because the episode peeled the layers off a character we knew so little about. All we really knew was that he smoked, wore dark suits and was acquainted with Mulder’s father. We learn Smoking Man was an orphaned child whose communist spy father was electrocuted, his mom died of lung cancer and he was a failed novelist. Guess all that could cause a man to choose a dark path in life.

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